JB/006/094/001

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1 Feby. 1813
Church

II Topics
Ch. 9. Power
§.1. Abstract fitness
Part VIII. Misch

4

§.1. Abstract fitness
Part VIII. Misch. 6. On preaching
improvement

1
VIII Obstructing moral
& intellectual improvement.
p.1

2
As each mind gains
strength by exercise,
so in a succession of
minds, each succeeding
one gains
strength above the
preceeding one. Thus
as almost every other
art, so the art of
criticism continues
to advance to perfection.
But from
this art, tho' advantageous
to the community,
the class of men
in question have all
to fear and nothing
to gain. p.2

3
Shewn in theory of
misrule that in
proportion to the
quantity of abuse,
it is the interest of the
ruling few to keep
the minds of the subject
many in a
state of feebleness, to
prevent them from
forming a clear
conception of the causes
of the abuse which
produces their sufferings.
It is only as
applied to legislation
that they have immediately
to fear from it, and could
the public mind be
hedged off from the
consideration of this
topic — science might
grow on open ground.
p.3

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§.1. Abstract fitness
Part VIII. Misch. 6. On preaching
improvement

4
It being established
that error or falsehood
as to physical
facts do not affect
the credibility of a
religion physical
science might be suffered
to advance as
far as it could be
carried — Medicine
might be encouraged
because its tendency
is, to lengthen right
reverend lives. Applied
to sacred subjects, rhetoric,
poetry, sculpture,
painting,
have a title to encouragement
& even
as to prophane
things might be
tolerated withe logic
so it be that of the
schools. p.4

5
This hedge for human
reason is unluckily
but a fair dream.
So another course
must be taken. p.5

6
Three lines of policy
to be pursued —

1. To obstruct the growth
of the instrument.

2. To draw to less
dangerous subjects
its remaining strength.

3. To oppose negative
or indirect discouragement
(as far as practicable)
to application
of it to this part. p.5

7
Subscriptions (the
mischievous effects
of which supra) an
exemplification of
the success of this policy.
Add creeds and formularies
having the
properties of creeds
& penal laws by which
errors in religion not
involving moral conduct
are punished with
severity next below the
highest crimes — & success
will be sure. To force men
to choose between imbecility
and insincerity is
all that can be desired.
p.5

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§.1. Abstract fitness
Part VIII. Misch. 6. On preaching
improvement

8
Whatever interest
abuse has to obstruct
the progress of the
mind — the Clergy are
still more interested
to obstruct it. p.6.

9
If the happiness of the
many were the object
of the few, the encouragement
to each pursuit
would be as its
importance to that
happiness the difficulty
of the pursuit & the
deficiency of natural
encouragement. p.7

10
Of all arts and sciences
legislation deserves most
factitious encouragement
on account of all three
heads. What in each
department are the
fittest laws — how far
do the present laws
agree with them, or
conduce to thes ends
which should be aimed
at — As to the Constitution
how far do it's arrangements
operate to the
prosperity or adversity
of the people. These
the enquiries necessary.

11.
The incongruity of supposing
that such pursuits
should be encouraged
by the ruling
few, is instantly
perceived. That fraud
and weakness should
join should invite
probity and genius to
draw aside the curtain
behind which they are
enshrined. p.8

12
Unfortunately for misrule,
it is only in religion
that to discover
truth is a crime. The
statute wrung from
William against errors
in the physiology of God
applies not to civil or
penal law or procedure.
p.8

Identifier: | JB/006/094/001 "JB/" can not be assigned to a declared number type with value 6.
Date_1	1813-02-01	Marginal Summary Numbering	1-12
Box	006	Main Headings	church of englandism
Folio number	094	Info in main headings field	church
Image	001	Titles	abstract fitness / mischief / obstructing improvement
Category	marginal summary sheet	Number of Pages	1
Recto/Verso	recto	Page Numbering	e4
Penner	walter coulson	Watermarks	john dickinson & c<…> 1809
Marginals		Paper Producer	a. levy
Corrections		Paper Produced in Year	1809
Notes public		ID Number	2827
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